Visit to Texas and West Point

Yes, we did take a two-day trip to Texas. At the end of August, Scott called us and asked if there was any way that we could go to Texas and have Dick ordain him a high priest, so that he could be on the high council. Of course, we really didn't think it would be possible, but we asked the President anyway. He told us that it would be okay to go and that it would be nice for Dick to perform the ordination. So, we left Friday, September 17th and came back Sunday, September 19th. Short trip, but well worth the time. We haven't seen Jordan for about eleven months. It was good to see the whole family. Here is a shot from the window of the airplane as we were taxiing out--the New York skyline.

Shortly before landing in Dallas, I took a couple of pictures of the beautiful sky. Of course, my picture didn't do it justice. It was stunning.

Scott met us at the airport, and when we arrived at the Dalebout house, here is what we saw. Isn't she just adorable. She is a very "Celestial dog." She's energetic and full of fun by is also very sweet. I think even Ryan would like her. Her name is Reilly.

Saturday morning, Shelley took us over to see the new stake center that will be dedicated soon. It is very big. We were told that Frisco has the fastest growing LDS membership in the church, for now.

Saturday evening, we went to eat at at a fun restaurant. Our waitress took this picture. And, the food was yummy and the company even yummier. Don't you love Matthew's toothless grin. A tooth is coming in.

Sunday morning, we went over to the church. Here is a picture of our family together before the ordination.

Here is a picture of the stake presidency, Scott, Dick and the Bishop. Dick ordained him and gave him a nice blessing. I think Scott was pleased to have us be there. His assignment on the high council is the Primary, music, and his home ward. Isn't that great! He's excited about those assignments, because he loves both the Primary and music.

Last weekend, Dick and I traveled up to West Point, where we took a tour of the grounds. The two pictures below are just pictures of the West Point cadets and us standing in the middle, looking out over the Hudson River.

The building in the middle is the Cadet's Chapel. There are approximately 4,000 cadets (including women) who attend. The other buildings are classrooms. The starting age for cadets is 17 and goes to roughly 23 years.

Here is a church across the street from the academy. I thought the sign was funny. "Spirituality here Sunday 10:00 a.m."

Here is a view of the Hudson River, which was so beautiful. On Sundays, they have concerts and people sit in the seats below and listen to the West Point Band, who performs on the platform.

Here, Dick looks at a HUGE chain sample that the Americans put across the Hudson River to keep the British from coming down the river to attack. It worked.

There is truly a lot history around this area. It's fun to get out of the office periodically and see the sights.

43 Years of Marriage--September 7,1967 to September 7, 2010

Forty-three years of marriage--September 7, 1967. It's been a great ride. I am truly grateful that 43 years ago, I married Richard Scott Dalebout. I love him more than I did the day I married him, and I am thankful that we were able to come on this mission. We have been through the thick and thin of things, but we have truly had some wonderful experiences together. And, besides that, we have GREAT kids and grandkids, whom we love very much.

As you can see, we celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary in Yankee Stadium on September 4th and also going to a Labor Day Parade in Connecticut on September 6th. It's always fun to go to a professional baseball game, especially when the home team wins-- 7 to 5 for the Yankees. We even saw a couple of home runs. We sat in the bleachers, but we enjoyed ourselves. We attended the game with our neighbor next door, Jay, the Schoutens, and Teddy Thomas, who is a new convert to the church and someone Dick has spent a lot of time on family history. This is the brand new Yankee Stadium. It is really beautiful.

This is where the old Yankee Stadium is, and they are making it a park in that spot.

Sister Schouten took this picture: l-r: Jay Steele, Elder Schouten, me, Dick, and Teddy Thomas.

We were told that this stadium holds 50,00 people. It wasn't completely filled, but about 90 per cent filled.
It's very impressive. And, we had a great time.

On Monday, September 6th, we and the Schoutens rode up to Newtown, CT, where there was a large Labor Day Parade. We went to support our missionaries, who marched in the parade, gave out pass-along-cards and candy. Some of them rode bikes provided by one of the ward members.

Elder Stone gives a pass-along card to Sister Smith (the President's wife). Remember Elder Stone standing by me. He is 6 foot 9 inches. Sister Smith is 5 foot 11 inches, so you can see how tallk he is.

The Schriners drove these cute little cars in the parade. I thought my grandchildren would love to drive them.

Here is a picture of some of the LDS members in Newtown.

Some dancers in the parade.

Here are two of our sister missionaries who rode bikes, Sister Lythgoe and Sister Baxter. Elder Bandley, from Grandview Hill, is on the left.

More missionaries on bikes

Dick has taken up a new profession. He is now a barber and. For the past two or three weeks, Elder Huerta Luna has been coming into the office, and his hair has been VERY long. He has the most hair I have ever seen a male person have--extremely thick, black and beautiful. It was curling up on his neck. Every time I have seen him, I told him he really needed a haircut. Each time he told me that one of his ward members was going to cut it. She would set an appointment with him, and then she would cancel. Well, last Friday he came into the office and still didn't have his hair cut. Elder Huerta Luna said that the sister was going to cut his hair on Monday, which is Zone Conference. When the President came in and saw him, he said: "Elder Huerta Luna, you will have your hair cut by Zone Conference on Monday." I think that kind of scared Elder Huerta Luna. Dick piped up and said: "If you come over tomorrow, I will cut your hair." Thus, Dick became a barber. I also have to say that he did a good job. He even colored my hair yesterday. ( That's what happens after 43 years of marriage.) WHAT A MAN!!!

I didn't get a picture of the back, but here is what his hair looked like from the front.

It's looking a little better.

Voila! Here is the finished product. Elder Huerta Luna is on the right and his companion, Elder Chavarria, is on the left. Do you love that hat.